Dearmond S-73-12 ... anybody here try one?

[mad dog]

Hey gang:

My DA appreciation spree continues. Saw a listing for this guitar recently, a 12 string version of the S-73, only with 2K pickups instead of the humbuckers the 6 string version came with.

Very interesting. I'm tempted. Has anyone hear played this guitar? Also, how hard is it to convert a 12 string to a 6 string, should it come to that?

Thanks.
Michael D.

 

[matsickma]

I've owned or handled a few over the years and all were of very good Korean crafted quality. Similar in quality to S73. They have either white or black DeArmond 2k's. Sometime they come with two "neck" pickups or the standard neck/bridge setup. Neck is wide and chunky and a bit head heavy. The 12-string model has all chrome hardware instead of the chrome/gold combination on the 6-string S73. Great guitar and outstanding when you consider the cost ($300-$450 range).

I owned a 1967 Starfire 12 and found the neck was so narrow that I couldn't play it in the open position without buzzing the adjacent strings. The DeA S7312 is wider ( i.e., not unlike Guild 12 string acoustics).

I owned or handled Green and Natural colored guitars. I currently have a Natural and often think of upgrading for a Red one. The finish on all are transparent so you can see the mahogony wood grain. It is hard to complain about the Korean version of the DeArmonds.

M

 

[mad dog]

Mat:

Very interesting. Thanks for your comments. Since you've handled a couple, does the neck width (nut) vary between the 6 string and 12 string version. I actually have a line on the 6 string version as well, at a much more favorable price versus the 12.

In that case, it becomes a question of how different those excellent goldtones sound in the S-73 vs. the M-72 I just picked up (and really like.) And how different those guitars are in neck feel and playability.

Something else I've been considering, is adding a Bigsby to either my M72, or to an S73. I love having that option with the M-75T, betting it would sound really nice with those humbuckers too.

 

[matsickma]

The DeArmond single coils are are good match for the expected jangle tone of a 12-string and I am sure the Goldtone HBs would sound good also. The neck on the S7312 is wider than the S73 but it is a good feeling neck.

The best way to install a Bigsby on a M72 or S73 is to keep an eye out for a DeArmond bigsby on ebay. They pop up once in a while. If not then you can pickup a Bigsby designed for a flat top guitar. The biggest issue is to install a bigsby in a manner that doesn't look like a hack job with the left over bridge post holes. The good news is that both the M72 and S73 have a straight stop. If the guitar was a M70 you would have to deal with the holes under the angular stop.

All of the S7312's I played had the same neck and nut characteristics. In this age of automation and multi axis carving tools all of the guitars of the samemodels have the same feel.

M

 

[danerectal]

The biggest issue is to install a bigsby in a manner that doesn't look like a hack job with the left over bridge post holes. The good news is that both the M72 and S73 have a straight stop. If the guitar was a M70 you would have to deal with the holes under the angular stop.

Problem solved. No new holes with the tune-o-matic tailpiece when adding a Bigsby B5. http://www.vibramate.com. The only catch is that you have to use the American Bigsby rather than the licensed version.

 

[matsickma]

WOW! Great solution to an age old problem.

M

 

[mad dog]

Dan & Mat: I have a line on a promising S73 right now. Looks a bit scuffed on two corners, but is described as a real toneful example. And is the right price. So I could be on my way here.

I have seen long discussions of SG Bigsby alternatives over on the LP site. The Vibramate is an obvious, and elegant solution. My only concern is the angle back from the bridge to the roller. Not sure how critical that really is, as my M-75T has a steep angle back there, with strings actually touching the back of the bridge. After a proper setup (and new frets), it's a very easy player, with a stiff but precise Bigsby, very stable tuning.

If I want the Bigsby back a bit further, it's time to drill. Too early to say. I really need to hear and play it first. Most curious about how this guitar will compare to the M72 tonally. The chambered M72 is my entree into Goldtone land. They are impressive, as is the whole guitar. Wondering how the solid mahogany plank will change the deal.

Anyway, that's the plan. It's very helpful to have the benefit of your experience in these matters. Thanks!
MD

 

[Hammer]

The biggest issue is to install a bigsby in a manner that doesn't look like a hack job with the left over bridge post holes. The good news is that both the M72 and S73 have a straight stop. If the guitar was a M70 you would have to deal with the holes under the angular stop.

Problem solved. No new holes with the tune-o-matic tailpiece when adding a Bigsby B5. http://www.vibramate.com. The only catch is that you have to use the American Bigsby rather than the licensed version.

Wow, that looks kinda awesome. I gotta wonder though, over time how much the edges of that piece would dig into the body of the guitar up past the tailpiece mount and how much it will mess with the color of the finish. I know that would take years and years and probably quite a bit of direct sunlight, but still...

 

[mad dog]

Oh yeah It's a go. S-73 (natural finish) on its way now. Let the experimentation begin!

 

[danerectal]

Congrats. We'll be expecting a graphic representation of your findings.

 

[count_scrofula]

Frankly, the solid body dea's were pretty good at the blowout prices, but nothing great at the more inflated current prices, especially among folks who buy the hype and think dearmond's are something magic. they are not guilds by any stretch of the imagination!

The setneck solidbodies are heavy with sticky thickly polyurethaned necks. The goldtones and the deamatron humbuckers were okay, but not great to my ears.

The bolt neck solid bodies I had/handled varied from semi-okay to absolute crap with sloppy neck pockets with terrible fits.

The archtops were great buys at the price and certainly are nice as a cheap archtop to monkey with and not worry about killing value.

All dearmonds have such heavy poly finishes it makes me hate the necks and really deadens things, imho.

A few exceptions were anything with the 2k pups. The M-68 with their sparkly finishes were often awful as guitars because of the poor neck fits, but if the neck was solidly mounted, the ridiculous sparkle poly and the 2ks made a fun guitar for about $130 when they blew them out. The s-73-12 was a big heavy handful of 12 string rick-like jangle for under $200, loved the sound. The one i really wish I'd gotten was the bajo jet--a bajo with 3(!) 2k's and old polara type styling.

 

[mad dog]

Dearmond hype??? Why, I'm one of the providers of that stuff!

I still would love to grab that 12 string S-73, but lack for budget at this time. The 6 string S-73 I ended up with is turning into a real surprise. It's not heavy at all, and tonally is anything but muffled. I will not hype further, but can tell you I'm feeling real lucky to have it.

The M-75T is heavy, a dense plank of a thing, with a bulletproof poly finish. Whatever the pluses or minuses of all that, add those 2ks and it turns into something just fine by me. Love those p/us.
MD